Getting Around Fujinomiya
Fujinomiya sits on the lower slopes of Mount Fuji in central Shizuoka Prefecture, and it is one of the main starting points for climbing trips to the mountain. The city is compact around its station, but many of its best-known sights — Taisekiji Temple, Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha, Shiraito Falls, the Asagiri Plateau and Lake Tanuki — lie out in the surrounding countryside. That shapes how you get around: the train gets you in, but buses and taxis are what actually move you between the sights.
Arriving by Rail
Fujinomiya is served by the JR Minobu Line, which links Fuji city on the JR Tokaido Line with Kofu city on the JR Chuo Line. Fujinomiya Station is the natural arrival point for most visitors, and it is also where the local transport options converge.
From Tokyo, the fastest rail route is to take a Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama train to Mishima, change there for a Shizuoka-bound JR Tokaido Line local train, and then change again at Fuji station onto the JR Minobu Line for the final run to Fujinomiya. With good connections this takes roughly two hours. If you substitute the Shinkansen leg with Tokaido Line local trains the whole journey takes around three hours, assuming the connections work out. Either way, you are changing trains a couple of times, so build in a little slack.
Buses and Public Transport
Within the city, the bus is the most practical way to reach the outlying sights, and buses leave from Fujinomiya Station. Bus services in the area are operated by Fuji Kyūkō, Fuji-Kyū Shizuoka Bus and Sankō town coach.
Long-distance express buses also serve the station, which makes Fujinomiya reachable without touching the rail network at all:
- An express bus between Fujinomiya Station and Tokyo International Airport
- An express bus between Fujinomiya Station and Tokyo Station
- A Kyoto/Osaka line express bus
There is also a bus connection to Fujinomiya from Kawaguchiko Station, running a few times a day — useful if you are combining Fujinomiya with the Fuji Five Lakes area.
Note that the English-language portions of some bus operators' websites may not be fully up to date, so it is worth confirming schedules locally.
Taxis and Rental Bicycles
Taxis also leave from Fujinomiya Station, and together with the buses they are described as the best way to get around the city. For sights scattered across the foothills, a taxi can save a lot of waiting around.
If you would rather move under your own power, some shops in the city offer rental bicycles. This suits shorter trips around town better than long runs out to the plateau or the falls.
Walkability and Orientation
The area around Fujinomiya Station is walkable and is where you will find your bearings. There is an official tourist information desk on the ground floor of Fujinomiya Station, which is the place to go for directions — and it is worth asking for a tourist map while you are there. Beyond the immediate station area, the city spreads across a large, varied landscape on the foothills and lower slopes of Mount Fuji, so plan on using buses, taxis or a bicycle for anything further afield.
Getting There from the Airport
The closest airport to Fujinomiya is Shizuoka Airport. For a direct connection, an express bus runs between Fujinomiya Station and Tokyo International Airport, which is a convenient option if you are flying into Tokyo rather than Shizuoka.
Practical Tips
- Start at Fujinomiya Station: buses, taxis and the tourist information desk are all based there.
- Pick up a tourist map from the station information desk before heading out.
- Allow extra time for rail connections from Tokyo, since the route involves changes at Mishima and Fuji.
- Check bus schedules in advance, as some English-language operator information may be out of date.
- Consider a rental bicycle for short trips around town, and a bus or taxi for the more distant sights.